The No. 2 Mavericks cheerleader behind Mark Cuban may be Mark Jackson of the ABC studio show. Before the opener, Jackson said Dirk Nowitzki "has the ability to be better than Larry Bird." He added he would take Nowitzki over Dwyane Wade, who graces Sports Illustrated's current cover. And finally, he picked the Mavericks to beat the suddenly trendy Heat.

Just look at some of Larry Bird's assist numbers-ridiculous for a small forward. I think he shoots better than Dirk too, and rebounds as well as Dirk. His assist numbers are good for a point guard!! For a small forward they are absolutely astronomical.

DaSlicer: Right on target! I heard it on ESPN Radio on the Dan Patrick Show last week. Reggie Miller thought his former teammate has been taken H.G.H. with that comment. What has Mark Jackson been smoking? Larry Bird had tougher competition (Magic Johnson and LA Lakers, MJ and Chicago Bulls, Dr. J and Philly 76ers) in the 1980's while Dirk Nowitzki faced San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers. First he said Kobe Bryant WILL be a far better player than Michael Jordan. Now Dirk Nowitzki will be a better player than Larry Bird? What's next Stephen Marbury is a better player than Magic Johnson?! Mark Jackson needs to think twice before coming out and making a bold statement like that.

Larry Bird never needed someone to light a fire under his butt, the guy came in with a vengeance and a desire to win that set him at odds with everyone who got in his way in his fight for a title. Dirk is a great player and maybe from this point on he will dominate like very few have before him, I think he finally gets it. But Dirk will be the next Dirk, not the next Bird.